The coronavirus has now been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
WHO chief Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he was “deeply concerned” by “alarming levels of inaction” over the virus.
But he said the WHO would not be changing its advice about what action countries should take.
A pandemic is defined as a disease that is spreading in multiple countries around the world at the same time.
He was quoted on the BBC saying: “Several countries have demonstrated that this virus can be suppressed and controlled.
“The challenge for many countries who are now dealing with large clusters or community transmission is not whether they can do the same – it’s whether they will.”
He added: “We’re in this together to do the right things with calm and protect the citizens of the world. It’s doable.”